Japan’s railway system is a world-renowned marvel of punctuality, efficiency, and coverage. From the local lines that weave through quiet neighborhoods to the iconic Shinkansen bullet trains that connect the nation’s metropolises at breathtaking speeds, traveling by rail is an essential part of any journey in Japan. Mastering the language of the rails will not only help you navigate this intricate network but will also deepen your appreciation for the culture and orderliness that make it all possible.
This comprehensive guide provides all the Japanese you need for trains and the Shinkansen. We will cover everything from buying tickets and finding your platform to understanding the different types of trains, navigating the Shinkansen, and knowing what to do when things don’t go as planned. Let’s begin your journey.
Chapter 1: At the Station – Buying Tickets & Finding Your Way
Your journey begins at the station (駅, eki). Major stations can be vast and confusing, but they are logically laid out. You can buy tickets from automated machines (券売機, kenbaiki) or, for more complex journeys like long-distance travel or Shinkansen reservations, from a ticket office, often called the “Midori no Madoguchi” (みどりの窓口) at JR stations. For simple, local travel, using a rechargable IC card (like Suica or Pasmo) is the most convenient option.
— At the Ticket Office —
新宿までの切符を一枚ください。
しんじゅくまでのきっぷをいちまいください。
Shinjuku made no kippu o ichimai kudasai.
One ticket to Shinjuku, please.
新宿まで (Shinjuku made) = To Shinjuku
の (no) = ‘s (possessive particle)
切符 (kippu) = Ticket
を (o) = Object marker
一枚 (ichimai) = One (flat object)
ください (kudasai) = Please give me
みどりの窓口はどこですか。
みどりのまどぐちはどこですか。
Midori no madoguchi wa doko desu ka?
Where is the ticket office (Midori no Madoguchi)?
みどりの窓口 (Midori no madoguchi) = “Green Window” Ticket Office
は (wa) = Topic marker
どこですか (doko desu ka) = Where is it?
— Essential Station Vocabulary —
駅 (えき) – Eki (Station)
切符 (きっぷ) – Kippu (Ticket)
券売機 (けんばいき) – Kenbaiki (Ticket vending machine)
みどりの窓口 (みどりのまどぐち) – Midori no Madoguchi (JR Ticket Office)
入口 (いりぐち) – Iriguchi (Entrance)
出口 (でぐち) – Deguchi (Exit)
改札口 (かいさつぐち) – Kaisatsuguchi (Ticket gate)
ICカード – IC kādo (IC Card like Suica/Pasmo)
Chapter 2: Understanding the Trains – Types and Services
Not all trains are created equal. On a single line, there can be multiple service types that stop at a different number of stations. Taking the wrong type can either add significant time to your journey or cause you to miss your stop entirely. Always check the electronic signboards on the platform, which will indicate the train type.
— Common Train Types (Slowest to Fastest) —
普通 (ふつう) / 各駅停車 (かくえきていしゃ) – Futsū / Kakueki-teisha
This is the **Local** train. It stops at every single station on the line.
快速 (かいそく) – Kaisoku
This is the **Rapid** train. It skips some of the smaller, less busy stations.
急行 (きゅうこう) – Kyūkō
This is the **Express** train. It stops at even fewer stations than the Rapid service.
特急 (とっきゅう) – Tokkyū
This is the **Limited Express** train. It only stops at major stations and often requires a supplementary express ticket in addition to your base fare ticket.
— A Key Question to Ask —
この電車は快速ですか。
このでんしゃはかいそくですか。
Kono densha wa kaisoku desu ka?
Is this train a Rapid train?
この電車 (kono densha) = This train
は (wa) = Topic marker
快速ですか (kaisoku desu ka) = Is it a Rapid service?
Chapter 3: The Shinkansen Experience
The Shinkansen is the pinnacle of Japanese rail travel. To ride it, you need a base fare ticket and a Shinkansen supplement ticket. You can choose between a cheaper, unassigned seat in a non-reserved car (自由席, jiyūseki) or a guaranteed seat in a reserved car (指定席, shiteiseki), which is highly recommended during peak travel seasons. For extra comfort, the Green Car (グリーン車, gurīnsha) offers wider seats and more space. Remember that the Japan Rail Pass covers most Shinkansen services, but famously excludes the fastest “Nozomi” and “Mizuho” trains.
— Buying Shinkansen Tickets —
京都行きの次のひかりの指定席を二枚お願いします。
きょうとゆきのつぎのひかりのしていせきをにまいおねがいします。
Kyōto-yuki no tsugi no Hikari no shiteiseki o nimai onegai shimasu.
Two reserved seats on the next Hikari train to Kyoto, please.
京都行き (Kyōto-yuki) = Bound for Kyoto
の (no) = ‘s
次 (tsugi) = Next
ひかり (Hikari) = Hikari (a Shinkansen service)
指定席 (shiteiseki) = Reserved seat
を (o) = Object marker
二枚 (nimai) = Two (flat objects)
お願いします (onegai shimasu) = Please
— Essential Shinkansen Vocabulary —
指定席 (していせき) – Shiteiseki (Reserved seat)
自由席 (じゆうせき) – Jiyūseki (Non-reserved seat)
グリーン車 (ぐりーんしゃ) – Gurīnsha (Green Car – first class)
号車 (ごうしゃ) – Gōsha (Car number, e.g., 5号車)
駅弁 (えきべん) – Ekiben (Station bento box)
のぞみ – Nozomi (Fastest train, not covered by JR Pass)
ひかり – Hikari (Second-fastest train, covered by JR Pass)
こだま – Kodama (Slowest train, covered by JR Pass)
Chapter 4: On the Platform & Boarding
Once you’ve passed through the ticket gates, you need to find your platform (乗り場, noriba, or ホーム, hōmu). Large digital signs will display the upcoming departures, showing the train type, departure time, destination, and platform number. On the platform floor, you’ll often find markings indicating where the doors for each car will be, allowing passengers to queue in an orderly fashion. It is considered polite to wait for passengers to disembark before you board.
— Confirming Your Train —
この電車は渋谷に行きますか。
このでんしゃはしぶやにいきますか。
Kono densha wa Shibuya ni ikimasu ka?
Does this train go to Shibuya?
この (kono) = This
電車 (densha) = Train
渋谷 (Shibuya) = Shibuya
行きますか (ikimasu ka) = Does it go?
これは何番線のホームですか。
これはなんばんせんのほーむですか。
Kore wa nan-ban sen no hōmu desu ka?
What platform number is this?
これ (kore) = This
何番線 (nan-ban sen) = What track number
の (no) = ‘s
ホーム (hōmu) = Platform
ですか (desu ka) = Is it?
— Platform Vocabulary —
乗り場 (のりば) – Noriba (Platform/Track number)
ホーム – Hōmu (Platform)
番線 (ばんせん) – Bansen (Track number)
行き (ゆき) – Yuki (Bound for…)
発 (はつ) – Hatsu (Departing from…)
時刻表 (じこくひょう) – Jikokuhyō (Timetable)
Chapter 5: Inside the Train – Etiquette and Announcements
Once on board (車内, shanai), Japanese train etiquette calls for quiet behavior. Avoid loud conversations and talking on your phone. Put your phone on silent mode (マナーモード, manā mōdo). Listen for announcements, which often precede station arrivals. A common phrase you will hear is “まもなく、[駅名]です” (mamonaku, [eki-mei] desu), meaning “We will soon arrive at [Station Name]”.
— Transfers and Getting Off —
次の駅で乗り換えます。
つぎのえきでのりかえます。
Tsugi no eki de norikaemasu.
I will transfer at the next station.
次 (tsugi) = Next
の (no) = ‘s
駅 (eki) = Station
で (de) = At (particle)
乗り換えます (norikaemasu) = To transfer
この席は空いていますか。
このせきはあいていますか。
Kono seki wa aite imasu ka?
Is this seat available?
この席 (kono seki) = This seat
は (wa) = Topic marker
空いていますか (aite imasu ka) = Is it empty/available?
— In-Train Vocabulary —
車内 (しゃない) – Shanai (Inside the train)
乗り換え (のりかえ) – Norikae (Transfer)
次 (つぎ) – Tsugi (Next)
ドアが閉まります (どあがしまります) – Doa ga shimarimasu (The doors are closing)
優先席 (ゆうせんせき) – Yūsenseki (Priority seating)
終点 (しゅうてん) – Shūten (Last stop/Terminus)
Chapter 6: Problems and Special Situations
Even in Japan’s hyper-efficient system, things can sometimes go wrong. You might miss your stop, lose an item, or encounter a delay. In these situations, remain calm and approach the station staff (駅員, ekiin), who are trained to help. Lost and found services are incredibly efficient, and there’s a good chance your lost item will be recovered.
— Common Problems —
乗り過ごしました。
のりすごしました。
Norisugoshimashita.
I missed my stop.
乗り過ごしました (norisugoshimashita) = (I) rode past (my stop).
忘れ物をしました。
わすれものをしました。
Wasuremono o shimashita.
I lost something / I left something behind.
忘れ物 (wasuremono) = Lost item / Forgotten thing
をしました (o shimashita) = (I) did
— Essential Problem-Solving Vocabulary —
駅員 (えきいん) – Ekiin (Station attendant)
忘れ物 (わすれもの) – Wasuremono (Lost item)
遅延 (ちえん) – Chien (Delay)
運休 (うんきゅう) – Unkyū (Service cancellation)
精算機 (せいさんき) – Seisanki (Fare adjustment machine)
困っています (こまっています) – Komatte imasu (I’m in trouble / I need help)
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